eldership

English

Etymology

From elder +‎ -ship. The Lithuanian sense is a calque of Lithuanian seniūnija.

Noun

eldership (countable and uncountable, plural elderships)

1. Seniority; the state or condition of being older.
   • 1786, Thomas Parnell, The Poetical Works of Dr. Thomas Parnell:

     Though Truth and Falsehood are as twins ally'd, There's eldership on Truth's delightful side.

   • 1829, Walter Raleigh, The works of sir Walter Ralegh:

     It followeth now to entreat how the world began to receive rule and government, which, while it had scarcity of people, underwent no other dominion than paternity and eldership.

2. The position or office of being an elder.
   • 1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide:

     When I came first to Caulds I sought to prevail upon him to accept the eldership, but he aye put me by, and when I heard his tale I saw that he had done wisely.

3. The smallest administrative division in Lithuania, equivalent to a ward.

   Synonym: elderate